Bloodworks Northwest issued an urgent appeal for blood donations after collections dropped during this week’s heat wave.
Blood donations usually fall by 15 to 20 percent in the summer, with schools and colleges on break and donors on vacation. Hot weather can cause a bigger drop by disrupting mobile drives in places without air conditioning. High temperatures this week are expected to result in the loss of 500 blood collections.
To avoid a crisis, Bloodworks is asking donors who have not recently donated to schedule an appointment by visiting schedule.bloodworksnw.org or calling 800-398-7888. The Vancouver Donor Center, 9320 N.E. Vancouver Mall Drive, Suite 100, is open Tuesday through Saturday.
Those who donate at Bloodworks this weekend will receive vouchers for free pints of Snoqualmie Ice Cream.
